Description
This vibrant Green Curry Noodles Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish combining a homemade green curry paste, tender tofu, fresh vegetables, and aromatic rice noodles. Perfect for a 25-minute meal, it delivers a harmonious balance of spicy, tangy, and savory notes with a creamy coconut milk base.
Ingredients
Green Curry Paste
- 1 hot green chili (use a mild one or remove seeds for less heat)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 inch piece of ginger
- 3/4 cup packed cilantro with stems
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- Zest of 1 lime
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup coconut milk
Main Dish
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 7 ounces extra-firm tofu (pressed and cubed)
- 2 green onions chopped (keep the greens for garnish)
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1/2-1 cup other vegetables of choice such as mushrooms, broccoli, baby eggplant
- 6 ounces rice noodles or linguini (cooked according to package instructions)
- Pepper flakes, black pepper (for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, for balancing flavor)
Instructions
- Make the green curry paste: Add the hot green chili, garlic, ginger, cilantro with stems, lime juice, lime zest, ground coriander, ground cumin, salt, and coconut milk to a blender. Blend until smooth and set aside.
- Cook the noodles: Prepare the rice noodles or linguini according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
- Cook the tofu and vegetables: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 teaspoons of oil. Add the pressed and cubed tofu, cooking until the edges turn golden brown. Then add the white parts of the green onions, thinly sliced red bell pepper, and your choice of additional vegetables (such as mushrooms or broccoli).
- Season and combine: Sprinkle a dash of salt over the tofu and veggies. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then push the veggies to one side of the skillet. Pour the prepared green curry paste into the center of the skillet. Let it come to a simmer and start to boil, then mix the paste into the tofu and vegetables.
- Add noodles and finish: Add the cooked noodles to the skillet. Toss well to coat everything evenly with the green curry sauce. Taste and adjust by adding salt, sugar (about 1/2 teaspoon if desired to balance flavors), or heat as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with pepper flakes, black pepper, and the green parts of the chopped green onions.
Notes
- Pressing the tofu is essential to remove excess moisture and achieve a crispy texture.
- You can adjust the heat by choosing milder chilies or removing chili seeds.
- Feel free to customize vegetables based on availability and preference.
- Adding sugar at the end helps balance the flavors of heat and acidity.
- Use gluten-free noodles if you want to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Thai
